Machida Receives Hometown Hero’s Welcome

Newly minted UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida got a
hero’s welcome from more than 100 fans that greeted him at Belém
International airport this week. The 31-year-old Machida knocked
out Rashad Evans in the second round of their UFC 98 title tilt on
May 23 in Las Vegas.

“I knew they would have a party for me, but I didn’t expect that
much,” said the clearly moved Machida.

Following interviews with a couple of local TV stations and dozens
of pictures and autographs with his admirers, Machida, his father
Yoshizo and brother Shinzo were taken to their APAM academy in a
fire truck. They were trailed by a large caravan that winded
through the main streets of Belém (ParÃ¡ state). The streets were
lined with fans that screamed “Champion” and toted signs reading,
“Lyoto the pride of ParÃ¡, Lyoto our champion.”

“I was born in Bahia, but I came to ParÃ¡ when I was three months
old, so I consider myself a Para citizen,” said Machida. “It was
such an unbelievable emotion to see the way people welcomed [me] in
the streets. Now it’s the most difficult part -- keep the
belt.”

Machida arrived at his academy, where a big party was waiting for
him to celebrate his 31st birthday.

“It was raining a lot and we got really wet, but people kept
applauding in the streets,” said Machida’s father Yoshizo. “We are
really thankful for all the support of the Belém people. On Monday,
the mayor invited us to a breakfast to thank us for the first world
title of ParÃ¡.”

The senior Machida, who trains his son, has been considered a major
factor in the undefeated champion’s flawless victory.

“Now is the toughest part,” said the Shotokan karate master. “We
have to train hard to keep this belt. Lyoto trained very hard for
three months. Now he’ll get some deserved weeks of vacation with
his family in the northeast of Brazil. But on June 16, he will be
back for training. I think his next fight is already scheduled for
October.”

Machida’s father also gave his thoughts regarding a rumored matchup
with MaurÃ­cio “Shogun” Rua, who scored a first-round knockout
against former UFC champion Chuck Liddell at UFC 97 on April 18 in
Montreal.

“He is a very tough opponent, so it’s good for Lyoto,” said the
proud patriarch. “Actually we are not worried about opponents. Our
training is a little bit different from other fighters. It’s more
psychological concentration and techniques. Most people stay
nervous, anxious, but we stay calm.”